Clothes washing machines



Nov. 9, 1965 .5. R. M. ALGER ET AL 3,215,227

CLOTHES WASHING MACHINES Filed on. s, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 56cLl A SSQZ INVENTOR. JOHN R M. ALGER BY CARLV. HAYS Nov. 9, 1965 ALGER ETA], 3,216,227

CLOTHES WASHING MACHINES FIG. 3

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United States Patent v fifice Patented Nov. 9, 1965 3,216,227 CLOTHES WASHING MACHINES John R. M. Alger, Oak Park, Ill., and Carl V. Hays,

Milwaukee, Wis., assignors to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed Oct. 8, 1963, Ser. No. 314,753 8 Claims. (Cl. 68-23) The present invention relates to clothes washing machines, and more particularly to such machines of small size or capacity that are especially designed for use in a bathroom, or the like.

It is a general object of the invention to provide a clothes washing machine of the type noted that comprises a simple drive mechanism that is devoid of mechanical gearing or other complicated transmission devices.

Another object of the invention is to provide a clothes washing machine that is capable of selective clothes-washing and water-extracting operations, wherein the entire drive mechanism therefor consists fundamentally of a reversible electric motor and a control circuit for the motor, and wherein the desired operations of the machine may be obtained by selectively governing the control circuit for the motor.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clothes washing machine of the character described, wherein the machine includes a support, an upstanding shaft mounted for rotation upon the support, a frame mounted for rotation upon the shaft, an upstanding tub fixedly secured to the upper end of the frame and rotatable therewith, an upstanding agitator arranged in the tub and fixedly secured to the upper end of the shaft and rotatable therewith, wherein oscillation of the agitator effects washing of the clothes contained in the tuband rotation of the tub efl'ects centrifugal water extracting from the clothes contained therein, a first brake carried by the support and operatively associated with the frame, the first brake having set and release positions so that the first brake in its set positions prevents rotation of the frame with respect to the support, a second brake carried by the support and operatively associated with the shaft, the second brake having set and release positions so that the second brake in its set position prevents rotation of the shaft with respect to the support, an electric motor including cooperating first and second field members, the first field member being fixedly secured to the frame and rotatable therewith, the second field member being fixedly secured to the shaft and rotatable therewith, cooperating first and second windings respectively carried by the first and second field members, a source of electric power, first circuit control facility for operating the first brake into its set position and for energizing a predetermined one of the windings alternately with first and second polarities from the source so that the agitator is oscillated with the tub in a stationary position to carry out a clothes-washing operation upon the clothes contained in the tub, and second circuit control facility for operating the second brake into its set position and for energizing the one winding continuously with a given polarity from the source so that the tub is rotated continuously with the agitator in a stationary position to carry out a water-extracting operation upon the clothes contained in the tub.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clothes washing machine of the character described, wherein the first and second circuit control facilities are selectively governed by the conjoint operations of a master switch and a selector switch, each of the manually operable type.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a clothes washing machine of the type described, wherein the control circuit facility for energizing the one winding alternately with first and second polarities from the source essentially comprises a reversing switch, cycle mechanism for selectively actuating the reversing switch, and limit mechanism for selectively governing the cycle mechanism.

'Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement of the elements of the clothes washing machine and of the control circuit therefore, whereby the above-outlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical sectional view of a clothes washing machine embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of the lower portion of the clothes washing machine, as shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of the electric circuit network for controlling the clothes washing machine.

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the clothes washing machine 10 there illustrated, and embodying the features of the present invention, comprises a substantially circular supporting base 11 carrying an upstanding substantially cylindrical casing 12 defining therein a machinery compartment 13 and supporting upon the top thereof an upstanding substantially cylindrical drain tub 14. The drain tub 14 includes top and bottom walls 15 and 16, the top wall 15 having a substantially centrally disposed circular top opening 17 therein. An upstanding substantially centrally disposed shaft 18 is arranged in the machinery compartment 13 and supported at the lower end thereof by a bearing member '19 carried by the base 11, whereby the shaft 18 is mounted for rotation about its upstanding longitudinally extending axis. Also, an upstanding substantially cylindrical frame 20 is ar ranged in the machinery compartment 13 in surrounding relation with the shaft 18 and mounted thereupon for rotation with respect thereto. More particularly, the lower end of the shaft 18 carries a bearing collar 21 that is secured thereto by an associated pin 22 and that cooperates with the bearing member 19 in supporting the shaft 18 and the frame 20 upon the base 1-1. The frame 26 comprises top and bottom walls 23 and 24; and annular bearing collar 25 is rigidly secured in place in a substantially centrally disposed opening provided in the bottom wall 24; which bearing collar 25 is directly supported upon a substantially disk-like bearing member 26 rigidly secured to the lower portion of the shaft 18. An upstanding tube 27 is arranged in surrounding relation with the upper portion of the shaft '18 and is rigidly secured in place in a substantially centrally disposed opening provided in the top wall 23. A substantially annular bearing collar 28 is rigidly secured in place and in watertight relation with a substantially centrally disposed open ing provided in the bottom wall 16 of the drain tub '14. The bearing collar 28 receives and supports the tube 27 for rotation therein; and a bearing sleeve 29 is arranged within the tube 27 and receives and supports the shaft 18 for rotation therein; whereby both the upper portion of the shaft 18 and the tube 27 project through the centrally disposed opening provided in the bottom wall :16 of the drain tub 14 from the top of the machinery compartment 13 into the bottom of the drain tub 14.

An upstanding substantially cup-shaped wash tub 30 is arranged substantially centrally within the drain tub 14, which wash tub 34) comprises a substantially horizontal bottom wall 31, an upwardly flared tubular side wall 32, and an upwardly and inwardly directed substantially annular guard rim 33 having a substantially centrally disposed circular top opening 34 therein; which top opening 34 into the wash tub 30 is disposed in substantial registry with the top opening 17 into the drain tub 14. The central portion of the bottom wall 31 of the wash tub 30 is rigidly secured to an annular flange 35 carried by the top end of the tube 27; and the upper end of the shaft 18 projects upwardly through a substantially centrally disposed opening provided in the bottom wall 31 and into the bottom of the wash tub 38. Also, a packing gland 36 is arranged in the top end of the tube 27 Within the flange 35 and dispose-d in sealing relation with the upper end of the shaft 18 closely surrounded thereby, so as to prevent the escape of wash water from the wash tub 30 along the upper end of the shaft 18 projecting through the centrally disposed opening provided in the bottom wall 31 of the wash tub 30. In a similar manner, the bearing collar 28 closely surrounds the tube 27, so as to prevent the escape of wash water from the drain tub 14 along the tube 27 and into the machinery compartment 13.

An upstanding agitator 40 is arranged substantially centrally in the lower portion of the wash tub 3t) and receiving the upper end of the shaft 18 and securely fastened thereto for rotation therewith. The agitator 40 is of conventional construction including a substantially disk-shaped base 41 and a plurality of upstanding blades 42 therefrom, the blades being arranged in angularly spaced-apart relation and extending upwardly and inwardly toward the top of the agitator 40. The extreme top of the agitator 40 carries a smooth knob 43 positioned somewhat below the top of the side wall 32 of the wash tub 30. Also, the usual out-flow holes 32a are provided in the top of the side wall 32 of the wash tub 30 and disposed in an annular array at the junction of the extreme top of the side wall 32 and the guard rim 33.

Further, the machine comprises an electric drive motor 50 that is preferably of the induction type; the motor 50 being arranged in the machinery compartment '13 and comprising a stator 51 mounted within the frame 20 and securely fastened thereto for rotation therewith, and a rotor 52 mounted on the intermediate portion of the shaft 18 and securely fastened thereto for rotation therewith. The stator 50 comprises a first magnetic field member carrying a main winding 53; and the rotor 52 comprises a second magnetic field member carrying an induction winding 54, the stator 51 being of substantially annular form and the rotor 52 being of substantially cylindrical form, and the stator 51 closely surrounding the rotor 52 with a substantially cylindrical magnetic field gap therebetween.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the induction motor 50 is of the split-phase type; whereby the main winding 53 comprises two sections 53a and 53b arranged in quadrature relation, and the induction winding 54 is of the squirrel-cage type. In other words, the two sections 53a and 53b of the main winding 53 are arranged in substantial electrically dephase relation with respect to each other and are commonly inductively coupled to the squirrel-cage winding 54. Since the winding sections 53a and 53b of the main winding 53 are mounted for rotation with the frame 20 upon the shaft 18 and with respect to the base 11, electrical connections are made thereto through slip-ring structure 55 and cooperating brush structure 56, as indicated in FIG. 1. The slip-ring structure '55 is carried by the shaft 18 and rotatable therewith, while the brush structure 56 is mounted upon an insulating support 57 that is carried by the base '11.

This arrangement is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 2 .and 3, whereby the slip-ring structure 55 comp-rises four individual slip-rings 55:11, 55a2, 55bit and 55b2, and the brush structure 56 comprises four individual brushes 56a1, 56:12, 5651 and 56b2. The rings 55a1 and 55612 respectively terminate the opposite terminals of the winding section 53a, and the rings 55121 and 55112 respectively terminate the opposite terminals of the winding section Again referring to FIG. 1, the bottom wall 24 of the frame 20 carries a substantially annular brake drum 61 disposed substantially concentric with the shaft 18 and provided with a cooperating brake shoe 62 supported by a spring 63 carried by the base 11, the spring 63 biasing the shoe 62 into a release position with respect to the drum 61. The lower portion of the shaft 18 carries a substantially annular brake drum 64 disposed substantially concentric therewith and provided with a cooperating brake shoe 65 supported by a spring 66 carried by the base 11, the spring 66 biasing the shoe 65 into a release position with respect to the drum 64. The shoe 62 may be operated into a set position with respect to the drum 61 by an armature 67 provided with a cooperating solenoid S1; and the shoe 65 may be operated into a set position with respect to the drum 64 by an armature 68 provided with a cooperating solenoid S2.

Further the machine 10 comprises two limit switches LS1 and LS2 respectively carried by two substantially diametrically positioned arms 71 and 72 carried by the bearing member 19, as best shown in FIG. 2; which limit switches LS1 and LS2 comprise a portion of limit mechanism, also including a permanent magnet 73 carried by the brake drum 64 and rotatable therewith. The permanent magnet 73 depends from the brake drum 64 and alternately cooperates with the limit switches LS1 and LS2, as the shaft 18 is oscillated through an angle of approximately 180, as explained more fully hereinafter. More particularly, as the shaft 18 is thus oscillated, the permanent magnet 73 is moved into close proximity first with one of the limit switches and then with the other of the limit switches. Each of the limit switches LS1 and LS2 essentially comprises a glass envelope into which a pair of switch springs are sealed, the switch springs being normally biased into disengagement with each other. One of the switch springs carries a magnetic armature which is attracted toward the depending pole of the permanent magnet 73, when the same is rotated into close proximity thereto; whereby the armature is moved toward the pole of the approaching permanent magnet 73 to flex the supporting spring so as to move the pair of contacts into engagement with each other for an electrical control purpose explained subsequently. When the permanent magnet 73 moves away from the limit switch LS1 or LS2, the armature thereof is released so that the supporting spring is returned into its normal position disengaging the cooperating springs, due to the resiliency of the supporting springs, so as to disengage the pair of switch springs.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the washing machine 10 comprises the electric control circuit there illustrated, which further comprises a terminal board 81 to which there is connected an electric power source of 118 volts, singlephase, 60 cycles, A.-C., and including a grounded conductor 82 and an ungrounded conductor 83. The control circuit 80 also comprises a manually operable master switch 84 having a stop position and a run position, a manually operable selector switch 88 having a wash position and an extract position, a rectifier 92 of any suitable type, a pair of limit relays LR1 and LR2, a reverse relay RR, and a capacitor C that is preferably of the so-called oil-filled type. Further, the control circuit 80 comprises the two limit switches LS1 and LS2, and the electric drive motor 50, as previously described.

The master switch 84- includes a movable switch spring 85 and two stationary switch springs 86 and 87; and the selector switch 88 includes a movable switch spring 89 and two stationary switch springs 90 and 91. The limit relay LR1 includes a winding and an armature controlling the contact sets 101, 102 and 103; the limit relay LR2 includes a winding and an armature controlling the contact sets 111 and 112; and the reverse relay RR includes a winding and an armature controlling an insulating contact rod 121. The rod 121 controls two. contact bridging members 122 and 123 each governing front and back pairs of contacts.

In the control circuit 80, the conductor 83 is connected to the switch spring 86 of the master switch 84, and the switch spring 85 of the master switch 84 is connected to a conductor 131. The rectifier 92 comprises a pair of input terminals respectively terminating the conductors 82 and 131, and a pair of output terminals respectively terminating the conductor 82 and a conductor 132. The switch spring 89 of the selector switch 88 terminates the conductor 132, and the switch springs 90 and 91 of the selector switch 88 respectively terminate two conductors 133 and 134. The solenoid S1 is bridged across the conductors 82 and 133; and the solenoid S2 is bridged across the conductors 82 and 134. The terminals of the limit switch LS1 respectively terminate the conductor 133 and a conductor 136; the terminals of the limit switch LS2 respectively terminate the conductor 133 and a conductor 139; the winding of the limit relay LR1 is bridged across the conductors 82 and 136; and the winding of the limit relay LR2 is bridged across the conductors 82 and 139. The contacts of the set 163 respectively terminate the conductor 133 and a conductor 135; and the Winding of the reverse relay RR is bridged across the conductors 82 and 135. The contacts of the set 102 respectively terminate the conductor 136 and a conductor 137; the contacts of the set 101 respectively terminate the conductor 133 and a conductor 138; the contacts of the set 112 respectively terminate the conductors 138 and 139; and the contacts of the set 111 respectively terminate the conductors 133 and 137. The back contacts controlled by the bridging member 122 respectively terminate the conductor 131 and a conductor 146; and the front contacts controlled by the bridging member 122 respectively terminate the conductor 131 and a conductor 147. The back contacts controlled by the bridging member 123 respectively terminate the conductors 82 and 147; and the front contacts controlled by the bridging member 123 respectively terminate the conductors 82 and 146. The terminals of the capacitor C are bridged across the conductor 146 and a conductor 145.

The brushes 56:11, 56a2, 56121 and 56112 respectively terminate the conductors 131, 82, 145 and 147; the slip rings 55:11, 55012, 55b1 and 55b2 respectively terminate four conductors 141, 142, 143 and 144; the winding section 53:: is bridged across the conductors 141 and 142; and the winding section 53b is bridged across the conductors 143 and 144.

Considering now the general mode of operation of the clothes washing machine and referring to FIG. 1, it will be understood that the water and the clothes to be washed are placed into the wash tub 30 through the aligned top openings 17 and 34 in any suitable manner, not shown. Thereafter, in order to carry out a washing operation upon the clothes contained in the wash tub 30, the brake shoe 62 is operated into its set position with respect to the brake drum 61, so as to prevent movement of the frame 20 with respect to the base 11, in order to maintain the wash tub 30 in a stationary position. The main winding 53 of the electric motor 50 is then energized alternately with opposite polarities from the source of electric power, whereby the rotor 52 is oscillated within the stator 51 causing corresponding and direct oscillation of the agitator 48 within the wash tub 38, so that the clothes contained in the wash tub 30 are subjected to a clothes-washing action in a conventional manner.

Thereafter, the clothes are subjected to a water-extracting action; and in order to accomplish this, the brake shoe 62 is returned into its release position with respect to the brake drum 61 and the brake shoe 65 is operated into its set position with respect to the brake drum 64, so as to prevent movement of the shaft 18 with respect to the base 11, in order to maintain the agitator 40 in a stationary position. The main winding 53 of the electric motor 51) is then energized continuously with a given polarity from the source of electric power, whereby the stator 51 is rotated continuously about the rotor 52 upon the shaft 18 causing corresponding rotation or spinning of the frame 20 and the carried wash tub 30, sothat the water and the clothes contained in the wash tub 30 are subject to centrifugal forces. Specifically, the water climbs the upwardly and outwardly directed side wall 32 of the wash tub 38 and is flung through the holes 32a formed therein at the bottom of the guard rim 33. Thereafter, the clothes are pressed against the side wall 32 of the spinning wash tub 30 to express the wash Water therefrom, all in a conventional manner, the guard rim 33 preventing throwing of the clothes over the top of the wash tub 30 with the drain tub 14. Of course, the wash water fiung from the wash tub 30 is caught in the drain tub 14 and may be pumped, or otherwise discharged therefrom, by conventional facility, not shown. After completion of the Water-extracting action upon the clothes contained in the wash tub 30, the main winding 53 of the electric motor 50 is deenergized and the brake shoe 65 is returned into its release position with respect to the brake drum 64; whereupon rotation of the wash tub 30 soon ceases and the clothes may be removed from the wash tub 30 through the aligned top openings 34 and 17 to the exterior.

Considering now in greater detail the washing operatron in conjunction with the control circuit of FIG. 3, the operator actuates the selector switch 88 into its wash position and then actuates the master switch 84 into its run position. Operation of the master switch 84 into its run position closes the switch springs 85 and 86 so as to connect the line conductor 83 to the conductor 131, whereby the rectifier 92 is operated to impress a DC. potential upon the conductor or bus 132 with respect to the grounded conductor 82. An obvious circuit is thus completed for energizing the solenoid S1, so that the armature 67 thereof operates the brake shoe 62 into its set position with respect to the brake drum 61, as previously explained. It may be assumed that both of the limit switches LS1 and LS2 are open, so that both of the limit relays LR1 and LRZ are restored, the restored limit relay LR1 retaining restored the reverse relay RR. The application of A.-C. potential upon the conductor or bus 131 with respect to the grounded conductor 82 completes an obvious circuit for energizing the winding section 53a with a given polarity from the A.-C. source; while a circuit is completed for energizing the winding section 53b with a polarity from the A.-C. source, depending upon the position of the reverse relay RR. At this time, when the reverse relay RR is restored, the circuit mentioned extends from the bus 131 via the contact bridging member 133 and its back contacts, the conductor 146, the capacitor C, the conductor 145, the elements 56121 and 55b1, the conductor 143, the winding section 53b, the conductor 144, the elements 55b2 and 56b2, the conductor 147 and the contact bridging member 123 and its back contacts to the grounded conductor 82. Thus a first polarity is employed to energize the winding section 53b; whereby the rotor 52 is rotated in a first direction with respect to the stator 51, so as to move the permanent magnet 73 into close proximity to the nearest one of the limit switches LS1 or LS2, depending upon the stop position of the rotor when the main winding is energized, as described above.

It may be assumed that the permanent magnet 73 first encounters the limit switch LS1, whereby the same is closed to energize the winding of the corresponding limit relay LR1 causing operation thereof. Upon operating, the limit relay LR1 completes at its contacts 182 a stick circuit for energizing the winding thereof, and interrupts at its contacts 101 a point in the stick circuit for energizing the winding of the limit relay LR2. Also, the limit relay LR1 completes at its contacts 103 an obvious circuit for energizing the winding of the reverse relay RR, so as to effect operation thereof. Upon operating,

the reverse relay RR actuates the reversing switch 122, 123 from its restored position into its operated position; whereby the above-traced circuit for energizing the winding section 5311 with the first polarity from the A.-C. source is interrupted, and an obvious reverse circuit for energizing the winding section 53b with a second and reverse polarity from the A.-C. source is completed. Accordingly, the rotor 52 is immediately dynamically braked and then rotated with respect to the stator 51 in the opposite or second direction, so that the permanent magnet 73 is rotated toward the limit switch LS2.

When the permanent magnet 73 is moved into close proximity to the limit switch LS2, the same is closed to energize the winding of the corresponding limit relay LR2 causing operation thereof. Upon operating, the limit relay LRZ prepares at its contacts 112 a stick circuit for energizing the winding thereof, and interrupts at its contacts 111 the stick circuit for energizing the winding of the limit relay LR1. The limit relay LR1 restores to complete at its contacts 101 the prepared stick circuit for energizing the winding of the limit relay LR2, and to interrupt at its contacts 103 the circuit for energizing the winding of the reverse relay RR. The reverse relay RR then restores to actuate the reversing switch 122, 123 from its operated position back into its restored position; whereby the above-noted circuit for energizing the winding section 53b with the second polarity from the A.-C. source is interrupted, and the above-traced circuit for energizing the winding section 53b with the first polarity from the A.-C. source is recompleted. Accordingly, the rotor 52 is immediately dynamically braked and then rotated with respect to the stator 51 in the opposite or first direction, so that the permanent magnet 73 is rotated toward the limit switch LS1.

When the permanent magnet 73 is moved into close proximity to the limit switch LS1, the same is closed to energize the winding of the corresponding limit relay LR1 causing reoperation thereof. Upon reoperating, the limit relay LR1 prepares at its contacts 102 its stick circuit for energizing the winding thereof, and interrupts at its contacts 101 the stick circuit for energizing the winding of the limit relay LR2, so as to cause the latter relay to restore and complete at its contacts 111 the stick circuit for energizing the limit relay LR1. Also, the limit relay LR1 completes at its contacts 103 the circuit for energizing the winding of the reverse relay RR, so as to effect reoperation thereof.

In view of the foregoing, it will be readily appreciated that the rotor 52 is oscillated within the stator 51 to elfect the previously described washing action produced by oscillation of the agitator 40 within the wash tub 30. The oscillation of the rotor 52 between its limit positions alternately controls the limit switches LS1 and LS2, so as to efiect alternate operation and restoration of the limit relays LR1 and LRZ, whereby the reverse relay RR is alternately operated and restored, so as alternately to actuate the reversing switch 122, 123 between its two positions oppositely poling the winding section 53b of the main winding 53 of the motor 50 whereby the rotor 52 is oscillated, as described above.

At the conclusion of the washing operation, the operator initiates the water-extracting operation by operating the selector switch 88 from its wash position into its extract position, so as to open the switch springs 89, 90 and to close the switch springs 89, 91; whereby the D.-C. potential is removed from the conductor 133 and applied to the conductor 134. Removal of potential from the conductor 133 deenergizes the solenoid S1 so that the spring 63 returns the brake shoe 62 into its release position with respect to the brake drum 61; and application of potential to the conductor 134 energizes the solenoid S2 so that the armature 68 operates the brake shoe 65 into its set position with respect to the brake drum 64. Also, the removal of potential from the conductor 133 insures that both of the limit relays LR1 and LR2 and the reverse relay RR occupy their restored positions, with the result that the reversing switch 122, 123 is positively returned into its restored position.

Accordingly, the winding section 53]) is energized continuously with the first polarity from the A.-C.-source, so that the stator 51 is rotated continuously in the first direction effecting spinning of the wash tub 30, so as to carry out the water-extracting operation upon the clothes contained in the wash tub 30, in the manner previously explained.

In order to terminate the water-extracting operation, the operator restores the master switch 84 into its stop position, and then operates the selector switch 88 from its extract position into its wash position, so as to prepare the washing machine for another washing operation. When the master switch 84 is returned into its stop position, A.-C. power is removed from the, conductor 131, with the result that operation of the electric motor 51} is arrested and operation of the rectifier 92 is terminated so as to remove DC. potential from the conductor 132. Removal of potential from the conductor 132 insures deenergization of the solenoids S1 and S2, with the result that the brake shoes 62 and 65 occupy their release positions with respect to the brake drums 61 and 64, respectively.

The speed at which the stator 51 is rotated continuously during the water-extracting operation of the clothes washing machine is dependent fundamentally upon the number of poles of the main winding 53; whereby a 12- pole main winding 53 is recommended. Thus, the synchronous speed of the motor is 600 rpm; whereby the stator 51 will run at a speed somewhat below the synchronous speed due to the necessary slip between the stator 51 and the rotor 52. Thus, at a normal slip of 5% at full load, the stator 51 rotates at 570 r.p.m.; which is entirely satisfactory as a spin speed for the wash tub in the water-extracting action. Now the frequency of oscillation of the agitator during the washing operation employing the 12-pole electric motor is determined by a number of factors, but the primary factor is the starting characteristic of the motor 50, that is fundamentally established by the impedance of the induction winding 54. The frequency of oscillation of the agitator 40 should fall in the general range 40 to cycles per minute; whereby the start characteristic of the motor 50 is preselected so that the rotor 51 may be started and stopped and reversed about twice the frequency of 40 to 60 times per minute, or about times per minute, so as to produce an oscillation of the agitator 4d at about 50 cycles per minute under medium load conditions. Thus the agitator 40 oscillates at a somewhat higher rate under light-load conditions, and at a somewhat lower rate under heavy-load conditions. Hence, the agitator 40 oscillates at a rate in the range 40 to 60 cycles per minute, centering upon about 50 cycles per minute under medium-load conditions. This characteristic may be readily obtained in the design of the induction winding between the control of the resistance andthe inductance thereof within the desired range of the impedance thereof.

In view of the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided a clothes washing machine of improved construction and arrangement, and involving a transmission, that incorporates no mechanical gearing or equivalent complicated devices, and that fundamentally comprises only a reversible electric motor, selectively controllable to cause washing and water-extracting operations to be carried out upon the clothes. Also, the selective control of the electric motor is effected by an improved arrangement of manually operable switches that is very economical to manufacture. Further, the control of the electric motor in the washing operation employs an electrical cycle mechanism of improved connection and arrangement that is automatic and positive in operation.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention,

9 it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a clothes washing machine, a support, an upstanding shaft mounted for rotation upon said support, a frame mounted for rotation upon said shaft, an upstanding tub fixedly secured to the upper end of said frame and rotatable therewith, an upstanding agitator arranged in said tub and fixedly secured to the upper end of said shaft and rotatable therewith, oscillation of said agitator effecting washing of the clothes contained in said tub, rotation of said tub effecting centrifugal water extracting from the clothes contained therein, a first brake carried by said support and operatively associated with said frame, said first brake having set and release positions, whereby said first brake in its set position prevents rotation of said frame with respect to said support, a second brake carried by said support and operatively associated with said shaft, said second brake having set and release positions, whereby said second brake in its set position prevents rotation of said shaft with respect to said support, an electric motor including cooperating first and second field members, said first field member being fixedly secured to said frame and rotatable therewith, said second field member being fixedly secured to said shaft and rotatable therewith, cooperating first and second windings respectively carried by said first and second field members, a source of electric power, first circuit control means for operating said first brake into its set position and for energizing a predetermined one of said windings alternately with first and second polarities from said source, whereby said agitator is oscillated with said tub in a stationary position to carry out a clothes-washing operation upon the clothes contained in said tub, and second circuit control means for operating said second brake into its set position and for energizing said one winding continuously with a given polarity from said source, whereby said tub is rotated continuously with said agitator in a stationary position to carry out a water-extracting operation upon the clothes contained in said tub.

2. In a clothes washing machine, a support, an upstanding shaft mounted for rotation upon said support, a frame mounted for rotation upon said shaft, an upstanding tub fixedly secured to the upper end of said frame and rotatable therewith, an upstanding agitator arranged in said tub and fixedly secured to the upper end of said shaft and rotatable therewith, oscillation of said agitator effectin g washing of the clothes contained in said tub, rotation of said tub effecting centrifugal water extracting from the clothes contained therein, a first brake carried by said support and operatively associated with said frame, said first brake having set and release positions, whereby said first brake in its set position prevents rotation of said frame with respect to said support, a second brake carried by said support and operatively associated with said shaft, said second brake having set and release positions, whereby said second brake in its set position prevents rotation of said shaft with respect to said support, an induction motor including cooperating first and second field members, said first field member being fixedly secured to said frame and rotatable therewith, said second field member being fixedly secured to said shaft and rotatable therewith, a main winding carried by said first field member, a cooperating induction winding carried by said second field member, a source of A.-C. electric power, first circuit control means for operating said first brake into its set position and for energizing said main winding alternately with first and second polarities from said source, whereby said agitator is oscillated with said tub in a stationary position to carry out a clothes-washing operation upon the clothes contained in said tub, and second circuit control means for operating said second brake into its set position and for energizing said main winding continuously 10 with a given polarity from said source, whereby said tub is rotated continuously with said agitator in a stationary position to carry out a water-extracting operation upon the clothes contained in said tub.

3. In a clothes washing machine, a support, an upstanding shaft mounted for rotation upon said support, a frame mounted for rotation upon said shaft, an upstanding tub fixedly secured to the upper end of said frame and rotatable therewith, an upstanding agitator arranged in said tub and fixedly secured to the upper end of said shaft and rotatable therewith, oscillation of said agitator effecting washing of the clothes contained in said tub, rotation of said tub effecting centrifugal water extracting from the clothes contained therein, a first brake carried by said support and operatively associated with said frame, said first brake having set and release positions, whereby said first brake in its set position prevents rotation of said frame with respect to said support, a second brake carried by said support and operatively associated with said shaft, said second brake having set and release positions, whereby said second brake in its set position prevents rotation of said shaft with respect to said support, an electric motor including cooperating first and second field members, said first field member being fixedly secured to said frame and rotatable therewith, said second field member being fixedly secured to said shaft and rotatable therewith, cooperating first and second windings respectively carried by said first and second field members, a source of electric power, a master switch having stop and run positions, a selector switch having V wash and extract positions, first circuit control means responsive jointly to operation of said master switch into its run position and to operation of said selector switch into its wash position for operating said first brake into its set position and for energizing a predetermined one of said windings alternately with first and second polarities from said source, whereby said agitator is oscillated with said tub in a stationary position to carry out a clotheswashing operation upon the clothes contained in said tub, and second circuit control means responsive jointly to operation of said master switch into its run position and to operation of said selector switch into its extract position for operating said second brake into its set position and :for energizing said one winding continuously with a given polarity from said source, whereby said tub is rotated continuously with said agitator in a stationary position to carry out a water-extracting operation upon the clothes contained in said tub.

4. In a clothes washing machine, a support, an upstanding shaft mounted for rotation upon said support, a frame mounted for rotation upon said shaft, an upstanding tub fixedly secured to the upper end of said frame and rotatable therewith, an upstanding agitator arranged in said tub and fixedly secured to the upper end of said shaft and rotatable therewith, oscillation of said agitator effecting washing of the clothes contained in said tub, rotation of said tub effecting centrifugal water extracting from the clothes contained therein, a first brake carried by said support and operatively associated with said frame, said first brake having set and release positions, whereby said first brake in its set position prevents rotation of said frame with respect to said support, a second brake carried by said support and operatively associated with said shaft, said second brake having set and release positions, whereby said second brake in its set position prevents rotation of said shaft with respect to said support, an electric motor including cooperating first and second field members, said first field member being fixedly secured to said frame and rotatable therewith, said second field member being fixedly secured to said shaft and rotatable therewith, cooperating first and second windings respectively carried by said first and second field members, a source of electric power, a reversing switch having first and second positions respectively poling a predetermined one of said windings for energization with corresponding first and second polarities from said source, a master switch having a stop position disconnecting said source from said reversing switch and a run position connecting said source to said reversing switch, whereby operation of said master switch into its run position effects energization of said one winding with a polarity from said source corresponding to the position of said reversing switch, cycle mechanism selectively operative between first and second control positions respectively actuating said reversing switch into its corresponding first and second positions, a selector switch having wash and extract positions, joint operation of said master switch into its run position and operation of said selector switch into its wash position operating said first brake into its set position and conditioning said cycle mechanism for cyclic operation, and limit mechanism selectively operative between first and second limit positions for respectively operating said conditioned cyclic mechanism between its corresponding first and second control positions, said limit mechanism being selectively operative between its first and second limit positions in response to rotation of said rotor into corresponding first and second limit positions with respect to said support, whereby said joint operation of said master switch into its run position and operation of said selector switch into its wash position also effects energization of said one Winding alternately with first and second polarities fromsaid source so that said agitator is oscillated with said tub in a stationary position to carry out a clothes-washing operation upon the clothes contained in such tub, joint operation of said master switch into its run position and operation of said selector switch into its extract position operating said second brake into its set position and positively operating said cycle mechanism into its first control position, whereby said joint operation of said master switch into its run position and operation of said selector switch into its extract position also effect energization of said one winding continuously with said first polarity from said source so that said tub is rotated continuously with said agitator in a stationary position to carry out a water-extracting operation upon the clothes contained in said tub.

5. The clothes washing machine set forth in claim 4, wherein said limit mechanism includes first and second limit switches respectively mounted in angularly spacedapart limit positions upon said support and a control element mounted upon said shaft and rotatable therewith and respectively cooperating with said first and second limit switches when said shaft is rotated respectively into said first and second limit positions.

6. The clothes washing machine set forth in claim 5, wherein each of said limit switches comprises an armature that is actuated in response to rotation of said cooperating control element into close proximity thereto as said rotor is rotated into the corresponding one of said limit positions, and a pair of contacts governed by actuation of said armature.

7. In a clothes washing machine, a support, an upstanding shaft mounted for rotation upon said support, a frame mounted for rotation upon said shaft, an upstanding t-ub fixedly secured to the upper end of said frame and rotatable therewith, an upstanding agitator arranged in said tub and fixedly secured to the upper end of said shaft and rotatable therewith, oscillation of said agitator effecting washing of the clothes contained in said tub, rotation of said tub effecting centrifugal water extracting from the clothes contained therein, a first brake carried by said support and operatively associated with said frame, said first brake having set and release positions, whereby said first brake in its set position prevents rotation of said frame with respect to said support, a second brake carried by said support and operatively associated with said shaft, said second brake having set and release positions, whereby said second brake in its set position prevents rotation of said shaft with respect to said support, an induction motor including cooperating first and second field members, said first field member being fixedly secured to said frame and rotatable therewith, said second field member being fixedly secured to said shaft and rotatable therewith, a main winding carried by said first field member, a cooperating induction Winding carried by said second field member, said main winding including first and second sections arranged in substantial electrically dephased relation with respect to each other, a source of A.-C. electric power, energization of said first section of said main winding with a given polarity from said source simultaneously with energization of said second section of said main winding with first or second polarities from said source effecting relative rotation of said rotor and said stator in corresponding first or second directions, a circuit network having wash and extract settings, a master switch having a stop position disconnecting said source from said circuit network and a run position connecting said source to said circuit network, and a selector switch having a wash position operating said circuit network into its wash setting and an extract position operating said circuit network into its extract setting, said circuit network in its wash setting operating said first brake into its set position and energizing said first section of said main winding continuously with said given polarity from said connected source and simultaneously energizing said second section of said main winding alternately with said first and second polarities from said connected source, whereby said agitator is oscillated to carry out a clothes-washing operation upon the clothes contained in said tub, said circuit network in its extract setting operating said second brake into its set position and energizing said first section of said main winding continuously with said given polarity from said connected source and simultaneously energizing said second section of said main winding continuously with said first polarity from said connected source, whereby said tub is rotated continuously to carry out a water-extracting operation upon the contained clothes.

8. In a clothes washing machine, a support, an upstanding shaft mounted for rotation upon said support, a frame mounted for rotation upon said shaft, an upstanding tub fixedly secured to the upper end of said frame and rotatable therewith, an upstanding agitator arranged in said tub and fixedly secured to the upper end of said shaft and rotatable therewith, oscillation of said agitator effecting washing of the clothes contained in said tub, rotation of said tub effecting centrifugal water extracting from the clothes contained therein, a first brake carried by said support and operatively associated with said frame, said first brake having set and release positions, whereby said first brake in its set position prevents rotation of said frame with respect to said support, a first solenoid controlled when energized to operate said first brake into its set position, a second brake carried .by said support and operatively associated with said shaft, said second brake having set and release positions, whereby said second brake in its set position prevents rotation of said shaft with respect to said support, a second solenoid controlled when energized to operate said second brake into its set positlon, an electric motor including cooperating first and second field members, said first field member being fixedly secured to said frame and rotatable therewith, said second field member being fixedly secured to said shaft and rotatable therew th, cooperating first and second windings respectively carried by said first and second field members, a source of electric power, a bus, a master switch having a stop position disconnecting said source from said bus and a run posltron connecting said source to said bus, a selector switch having a wash position connecting said bus to said first solenoid and disconnecting said bus from said second solenoid and having an extract position connecting said bus to said second solenoid and disconnecting said bus from said first solenoid, first circuit control means responsive jointly to operation of said master switch into its run pOsitlOn and 13 to operation of said selector switch into its wash position for energizing a predetermined one of said windings alternately with first and second polarities from said source, whereby said agitator is oscillated with said tub in a stationary position to carry out a clothes-washing operation 5 upon the clothes contained in said tub, and second circuit control means responsive jointly to operation of said master switch into its run position and to operation of said selector switch into its extract position for energizing said one winding continuously with a given polarity from said source, whereby said tub is rotated continuously with said agitator in a stationary position to carry out a waterextracting operation upon the clot-hes contained in said tub.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,764,868 4/54 Williams 6823 2,986,915 6/61 Nau 6812 FOREIGN PATENTS 477,384 6/ 29 Germany.

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE, A SUPPORT, AN UPSTANDING SHAFT MOUNTED FOR ROTATION UPON SAID SUPPORT, A FRAME MOUNTED FOR ROTATION UPON SAID SHAFT, AN UPSTANDING TUB FIXEDLY SECURED TO THE UPPER END OF SAID FRAME AND ROTATABLE THEREWITH, AN UPSTANDING AGITATOR ARRANGED IN SAID TUB AND FIXEDLY SECURED TO THE UPPER END OF SAID SHAFT AND ROTATABLE THEREWITH, OSCILLATION OF SAID AGITATOR EFFECTING WASHING OF THE CLOTHES CONTAINED IN SAID TUB, ROTATION OF SAID TUB EFFECTING CENTRIFUGAL WATER EXTRACTING FROM THE CLOTHES CONTAINED THEREIN, A FIRST BRAKE CARRIED BY SAID SUPPORT AND OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID FRAME, SAID FIRST BRAKE HAVING SET AND RELEASE POSITIONS, WHEREBY SAID FIRST BRAKE IN ITS SET POSITION PREVENTS ROTATION OF SAID FRAME WITH RESPECT TO SAID SUPPORT, A SECOND BRAKE CARRIED BY SAID SUPPORT AND OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID SHAFT, SAID SECOND BRAKE HAVING SET AND RELEASE POSITIONS, WHEREBY SAID SECOND BRAKE IN ITS SET POSITION PREVENTS ROTATION OF SAID SHAFT WITH RESPECT TO SAID SUPPORT, AN ELECTRIC MOTOR INCLUDING COOPERATING FIRST AND SECOND FIELD MEMBERS, SAID FIRST FIELD MEMBER BEING FIXEDLY SECURED TO SAID FRAME AND ROTATABLE THEREWITH, SAID SECOND FIELD MEMBER BEING FIXEDLY SECURED TO SAID SHAFT AND ROTATABLE THEREWITH, COOPERATING FIRST AND SECOND WINDING RESPECTIVELY CARRIED BY SAID FIRST AND SECOND FIELD MEMBERS, A SOURCE OF ELECTRIC POWER, FIRST CIRCUIT CONTROL MEANS FOR OPERATING SAID FIRST BRAKE INTO ITS SET POSITION AND FOR ENERGIZING A PREDETERMINED ONE OF SAID WINDINGS ALTERNATELY WITH FIRST AND SECOND POLARITIES FROM SAID SOURCE, WHEREBY SAID AGITATOR IS OSCILLATED WITH SAID TUB IN A STATIONARY POSITION TO CARRY OUT A CLOTHES-WASHING OPERATION UPON THE CLOTHES CONTAINED IN SAID TUB, AND SECOND CIRCUIT CONTROL MEANS FOR OPERATING SAID SECOND BRAKE INTO ITS SET POSITION AND FOR ENERGIZING SAID ONE WINDING CONTINOUSLY WITH A GIVEN POLARITY FROM SAID SOURCE, WHEREBY SAID TUB IS ROTATED CONTINUOUSLY WITH SAID AGITATOR IN A STATIONARY POSITION TO CARRY OUT A WATER-EXTRACTING OPERATION UPON THE CLOTHES CONTAINED IN SAID TUB. 